Heart of the Home
Crazy for cucumbers!
Crisp, refreshing bites to keep you cool
E
Cucumber gazpacho provides a cool summer soup option. 28
CULTIVATE
ALICE KEMP
ven though they’re 96% water, cucumbers pack a punch when it comes to health benefits. In addition to boosting hydration, they provide nutrients like vitamins B, C, K, folic acid, magnesium, phosphate and potassium. Full of antioxidants and good for heart health, a single cup of cucumber is only 16 calories. Botanically, cucumbers are a fruit but are used as a vegetable, like tomatoes. In the same family as watermelons, muskmelons, pumpkins and gourds, cucumbers have been farmed for at least 3,000 years. Have you heard the expression, “cool as a cucumber?” Many believe this phrase originated from the fact that the inside of a cucumber can be as much as 20 degrees cooler than the outside air, even on a hot day! Whether you grow them yourself or buy them at the market, cucumbers are adaptable and make a great addition to salads and sandwiches, can be enjoyed on their own, or even pickled!
